Leading a Thriving Region for All: How the LA Chamber is Reimagining Economic Growth with Maria S. Salinas, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Episode 151

What does it take to rebuild one of the most complex regional economies in the world, while also preparing for the 2028 Olympics and a rapidly evolving workforce? In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Maria S. Salinas, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, to explore how LA’s business community is leading through disruption, rebuilding with intention, and reimagining what workforce development can look like. Maria shares why she believes the Chamber must be a “caretaker of the region,” how public-private partnerships are critical to long-term resilience, and what an employer-led approach to workforce development means in practice. 

You’ll learn:

• What the LA Chamber actually does and how it balances business needs with community well-being

• Why rebuilding LA means investing in policy, preparedness, and people

• How the “Get in the Game” initiative is helping small businesses compete for Olympic contracts

• What employer-led workforce development looks like

• Where business and education leaders still need stronger alignment to support the future of work

About the Guest:

Maria S. Salinas is the President & CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the largest business association in LA County, representing over 235,000 businesses. Since becoming the first woman and first Latina to lead the Chamber in its 132-year history, she has championed a reimagined vision: “A Thriving Region for All.” Under her leadership, the Chamber focuses on advocacy, global engagement, and community collaboration to drive inclusive economic growth. A seasoned business leader and advocate, Ms. Salinas serves on numerous boards and commissions, including appointments by Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Eric Garcetti, and represents LA in state and national policy efforts.

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More from Maria S. Salinas & Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

LinkedIn: @mariassalinas

Website: https://lachamber.com/

Instagram, Twitter/X , Facebook: @LAAreaChamber

LinkedIn: @los-angeles-area-chamber-of-commerce

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